On April 1st, 2020 the Federal Government implemented a scheduled increase to the Carbon Tax from $20 per tonne to $30 per tonne.
Amidst the federal relief handouts, uncertain economic future and employee layoffs due to COVID-19, the Feds still increased the Carbon Tax by $10 per tonne.
As we all struggle to pay our household bills in these uncertain economic times, farmers are gearing up for spring seeding. As the backbone of Canada’s food supply, we need farmers even more now to keep us fed.
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) says grain farmers in the province will spend eight percent of their total net income to the federal government in the form of a carbon tax this year.
The provincial farm group estimates that, on average, a farm family managing a 5,000-acre grain farm will pay approximately $8,000 to $10,000 in carbon tax this year.
To address this situation the Official Opposition Saskatchewan Caucus, which consists of 11 MPs and 1 Sentitor (including Cathay Wagantall, MP for Yorkton-Melville) wrote a letter to The Honourable Bill Moreau, PC MP, Minister of Finance.
In this letter to the Minister of Finance the Official Opposition Saskatchewan Caucus brought their concerns about how spring is arriving after poor growing conditions last year. Some farmers are still unable to get crops off the fields due to the fact that they have been forced to dry their crops. The carbon tax is providing a substantial increase in operating costs and a raise will be further damaging.
The letter continued to stress that farmers are struggling with the added burden of this Carbon tax, yet Canada needs to protect and assist our local producers.
If these uncertain times continue and the farmers continue to face these increasing burdens, there is a realistic fear there will be serious consequences for our national food supply.
The Official Opposition Saskatchewan Causes also discussed how the oil and gas sector in Saskatchewan is struggling with the oil prices being the lowest they have been in a long time; this is causing increased threats to energy producers and their employees.
Next, the Caucus brought up the concern for medium-sized businesses in Saskatchewan. They noted that while the caucus supports government assistance to business through wage subsidies, the carbon tax increase will lessen the impact the assistance will have to Saskatchewan businesses.
Finally, the Caucus raised the issue that there are 1.5 million Canadians out of work and seeking employment insurance, and the last thing anyone would want is an increase in their cost of living.
“Minister, we ask that you immediately provide full exemptions from the carbon tax for all farming fuels and the immediate halt to the increase of the Carbon Tax.”
The farmers can not shoulder the burden of this tax while others in society receive assistance. None of us in these uncertain times should worry about the cost of living increasing more.
By Gary Horseman
(Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)